Act:

Monteverdi: L'incoronazione di Poppea - Seneca v.Nero

Nero announces to Seneca that he will divorce from Ottavia and marry Poppea. The philosopher tries to reason with him but Nero will not be convinced by logical arguments. When Nero proclaims himself on a par with the gods, Seneca reminds his that what he is about to do is not the act of a demigod but a misdeed worthy of a pleb, times are indeed sad when a whore leads the emperor. Infuriated, Nero dismisses Seneca who leaves saying the worst can be expected when brute force goes against reason.
Matti Salminen and Eric Tappy in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's film, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. 1979

English Libretto or Translation:

SCENE VII Arnalta.Arnalta, nurse and councilor of Poppea, enjoys being seen as a confidant of an empress, and jubilant of her contentment.

ARNALTA Today it will be Poppea Di Roma empress; I, who are the nurse, I will ascend the greatness of the degrees: No, no, with the vulgar I do not lower myself; Who gave me you, Or with new harmony Gorgheggierammi "Your Lordship" Who meets me on the street Tells me: "fresh woman and beautiful still", And I, although I know that I seem to be the legendary ancient Sibyls; But each one so adores me, Believing to earn me To intercede thanks from Poppea:And I pretending not to understand the frauds, In the cup of a lie I drink the praises. I was born servant, and I will die matron. Mal volentier I die; If I were born again, I would like to be a matron, and to die a servant. Who leaves the grandeur Weeping to death goes; But, but who is serving, With happier fate, How finite loves death.